The Food and Drugs Administration has issued a safety warning following six cases of haemorrhagic or necrotising pancreatitis were linked to concurrent use of exenatide (Byetta®). Two of these cases proved to be fatal.

Healthcare professionals are advised that there are no clinical signs or symptoms that distinguish acute haemorrhagic or necrotising pancreatitis from less severe form of pancreatitis. It is therefore recommended that exenatide and other potentially suspect drugs should be immediately discontinued in cases of suspected pancreatitis.